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Cell Biology Organisation Infection and Resp... Bioenergetics Homeostasis and Re... Inheritance, Varia... Ecology

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1 - Cell Biology

2 - Organisation

3 - Infection and Response

3-1 - Communicable Diseases

3-1-1 - Types of Pathogens

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Types of Pathogens
Communicable diseases are diseases that can SPREAD between organisms
They are caused by PATHOGENS
PATHOGENS, which are microorganisms that can invade and harm the body.

There are FOUR

FOUR types of pathogens:

1.1. BACTERIA
BACTERIA:
These are very small living cells that can reproduce rapidly inside your body.
They can cause illness by producing poisins called TOXINS
TOXINS.

2.
2. VIRUSES
VIRUSES:
Much smaller than bacteria, viruses are NOT
NOT cells.
They invade and reproduce INSIDE
INSIDE body cells. Once the cell is full of viruses, it BURSTS
BURSTS and releases
them to attack other cells
The damage to your cells during this process can make you feel unwell.

3.
3. PROTISTS
PROTISTS:
These SINGLE-CELLED
SINGLE-CELLED EUKARYOTES
EUKARYOTES can live as PARASITES
PARASITES, which means they may live on or inside
other organisms and can cause harm.
They are often transferred to the host by a VECTOR
VECTOR, like a mosquito, which itself does not get the
disease.

4.FUNGI
4.FUNGI:
These organisms can be single-celled or multi-celled
Multi-celled fungi have a body made of HYPHAE
HYPHAE; Structures that can cause infections by penetrating
human skin or plant surfaces.
Hyphae can produce SPORES
SPORES which aid in their spread to other plants and animals.

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3-1-2 - Types of Communicable Diseases

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Types of Communicable Diseases

Examples of Communicable Diseases

How Pathogens Spread

1.1. WATER
WATER:
Drinking or bathing in CONTAMINATED water can lead to diseases like cholera.

2.
2. AIR
AIR:
Airborne pathogens are spread through droplets when someone with an infection COUGHS or
SNEEZES
SNEEZES.

3.
3. DIRECT
DIRECT CONTACT
CONTACT:
TOUCHING contaminated surfaces or skin-to-skin contact can transmit diseases such as athlete's
foot.

Reducing or Preventing the Spread of Disease:

1.1. HYGIENE
HYGIENE:
WASHING hands and maintaining cleanliness.

2.
2. DESTROYING
DESTROYING VECTORS
VECTORS:
Eliminating disease-carrying organisms (like insects) by using INSECTICIDES or destroying their
HABITAT
HABITAT.

3.
3. ISOLATING
ISOLATING INFECTED
INFECTED INDIVIDUALS
INDIVIDUALS:
Keep people with the disease AWAY from the general public to prevent them from spreading to others.

4.
4. VACCINATION
VACCINATION:
Reduces the likelihood of DEVELOPING and PASSING ON the infection.

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3-1-3 - Human Defence Systems

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Human Defence Systems
Communicable Diseases are spread by PATHOGENS (microorganisms that cause disease). The body has
several DEFENCES to prevent pathogens from entering the body and infecting a person.

The Body's DEFENCE SYSTEM

1. The SKIN
SKIN
Provides a protective BARRIER against pathogens.
Produces ANTIMICROBIAL SUBSTANCES to actively kill potential threats.

2. The NOSE
HAIRS and MUCUS in the nose serve as physical traps for dust, microbes, and other particles.
Helps prevent the entry of pathogens into the respiratory system.

3.
3. The
The TRACHEA
TRACHEA and BRONCHI
BRONCHI (Air Passages)
Secrete MUCUS to capture and trap pathogens.
Lined with CILIA
CILIA, tiny hair-like structures that move mucus loaded with trapped pathogens OUT OF the
respiratory system to the back of the throat. From there it is swallowed and goes into the STOMACH
STOMACH.

4.The STOMACH
STOMACH:
Produces HYDROCHLORIC ACID
ACID, a strong acid that destroys pathogens ingested through food or
drink.

If these defences fail and the pathogens enters the blood stream of a person, they are said to be
INFECTED
INFECTED. From this stage the IMMUNE SYSTEM kicks in to try and kill the pathogens.

The IMMUNE SYSTEM

The immune system is mainly made up of WHITE BLOOD CELLS which can fight pathogens in THREE
different ways:
1.1. PHAGOCYTOSIS
PHAGOCYTOSIS:
A process where WHITE BLOOD CELLS (phagocytes) ENGULF and DIGEST invading pathogens.

The phagocytes goes up to a pathogen and changes its shape to SURROUND the pathogen. It then
releases ENZYMES to digest it.

2.
2. ANTIBODY
ANTIBODY PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION:
Pathogens have unique markers on their surface called ANTIGENS
ANTIGENS, which white blood cells known as
LYMPHOCYTES can identify.

The lymphocytes produce ANTIBODIES

ANTIBODIES; special proteins with specific shapes to bind to the antigens
of a pathogen and marks them for destruction.
When a pathogen is marked, it makes it easier for PHAGOCYTES to find them and engulf them.

Once all of the pathogens of a disease have been killed, most of the lymphocytes that produced the
antibodies to kill them die off as they are no longer needed. However a few lymphocytes still remain in
the body, just in case the pathogen REAPPEARS
REAPPEARS.
The lymphocytes that remain are known as MEMORY CELLS and these produce MORE antibodies ✕
✕

RAPIDLY so that the pathogens die off quickly before the symptoms Hey!of
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appeared.
If this occurs, we say that the person is IMMUNE to the disease and pathogen.
How can I help?

3.
3. ANTITOXIN
ANTITOXIN PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION:
These help with BACTERIAL infections
Bacteria produce poisons known as TOXINS which cause harm to body cells